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NEW YORK - If you believed all the odd pictures you saw online lately, your world would be populated by pig-sized housecats, flying skate-boarders and a 100-foot-tall Diana Ross.

While Ross is bigger than life, her gargantuan image is the product of the Internet answer to graffiti, Salvador Dali and Kodak, all in one. "Photoshopping," the art of using software to alter digital photos to create visual jokes, has become the creative outlet of choice for Webheads.

"We're definitely seeing that Photoshopping is picking up momentum over the last year," Wired editor Jennifer Hillner said. "It used to be people cutting out someone's head and pasting on another body. Now it's become more of an art form, as people are getting better at using the technology."

Even the term has evolved, according to Drew Curtis, owner of Lexington, Ky.-based humor news site www.fark.com.

"It's about making photographs of something impossible or really funny," he said. "Without fail, when I go to a Photoshop contest, I bust a gut laughing."

Photoshopping got its start -- and name -- from the digital imaging program by San Jose, Calif.-based Adobe. While Photoshop has been around since 1990, it was only recently that the art of Photoshopping blossomed as the software got easier and cheaper to use. Adobe now offers a $100 "hobbyist" version, and Photoshoppers have used it to hone their skills.

"I think it's always been done as long as Photoshop has been around. It's inherently just a lot of fun for a lot of people," Kevin Connor, director of Adobe digital imaging product management, said. "I think it crossed over into the mainstream because of the Web, which made it easier to distribute images, and because of digital cameras, which allowed people to amass their own collections of photos to manipulate."

Adobe, he added, frowns on the use of its trademarked Photoshop name in such a generic matter, although he said it's also flattering.

For some, Photoshopping has become more than simply doctoring pictures. It's the merging of old ideas about satire and creativity with the new medium of the Internet.

But because the art is so new, the quality can vary. Some images are so well done it's hard not to believe Michael Jackson was moonwalking at the Battle of Bull Run.

"Good Photoshops are the ones where you can't see the images have been altered," Rich "Lowtax" Kyanka said. "There are others where the guys obviously has no idea what he's doing, sticks a picture of Vanilla Ice in front of a nuclear holocaust and calls it 'My Cool Picture.'"

Kyanka is the owner of the Seattle-based humor site www.somethingawful.com, which like Fark, holds regular Photoshopping contests.

Because most of the art is protected by parody laws, Hillner said, the artists have little to worry about, legally. Curtis said he's even gotten an e-mail from a college computer science professor who, instead of handing out homework, tells his students to participate in Fark's contests.

But Photoshopping isn't so much about one funny picture as it is a visual conversation among the artists, who garner reputations much like graffiti artists. Many borrow from previous work, using recurring elements that become a running joke.

There are variations on the "Scared Guy," a college student with Ping Pong-ball eyes, or "Clich Kitty," an adorable kitten that, in its latest incarnation, is running away from Japanese monsters.

And, yes, many of the Photoshop gags are that bizarre.

The most widely recognized altered image was probably the image that shows a tourist on the observation deck of the WorldTrade Center on the morning of Sept. 11, as one of the hijacked planes flies toward the building. The picture sparked an immediate debate about both its authenticity and what defined the bounds of good taste.

"Some people get upset by the content because they feel as though they're making light of serious topics," Hillner said. "But for me, this is social commentary, this is visual whatsapp funny pictures pun. And I think seeing George Bush's head on a donkey is kind of funny."

As engineering science and science assist us find the actual roots, we are capable to dispel a good deal of of the incorrect conceptions surrounding acne. Nonetheless, the myths still persist. Here are a good deal of more normally known myths:

Myth: Acne is caused by poor hygiene.

Absence or unavailability of cleanliness is not the reason for acne. There are skin contagions related with acne due to a mixture of sebum and dead cells that lie underneath the surface of the skin. Absence or unavailability of gentle cleansing of the skin with soap and water once or twice a day will assist in holding skin as healthy as possible, it's ineffective in clearing away the skin contagions. Take care not to scrub too hard as this could farther irritate acne.

Myth: Grease and Chocolate will cause acne.

Individuals have believed for years that eating chocolate will cause pimples. Individuals no scientific evidence for this - studies have shown no direct relationship between consuming chocolate and acne breakouts. This is also true of other foods like potato chips and French fries. Eating overabundant of these types of feed is, however, unhealthy, and advisable to eat in moderation.

Note: Although chocolate and greasy foods do not cause acne, a good deal of foods DO seem to exacerbate it. Milk and foods high in iodine (as found in seafood) seem to irritate acne.

Myth: Sex is directly linked to acne.

Everything from masturbation to celibacy has been blamed for acne. This again is false. Altho there's a link between hormone levels and sexual activity, it's unclear what the link between sex and levels of sebum (causing acne. ) Emotions and stress also impact hormone levels.

Myth: You will grow out of acne.

Acne may last a matter of weeks or as long as assorted years. There is no require to undertake to live with it when there are such a good deal of over-the-counter treatments available to anybody suffering from the discomfort and embarrassment of acne. Dermatologists are also easily accessible for more severe cases.

Myth: Acne only affects teenagers.

Altho 85% of adolescents experience acne, adults are susceptible to suffering from acne when they are in their 30s or 40s.

Myth: Acne is only a superficial condition.

Because of the severity of physical disfigurement acne leads to psychological stress. There are strong links to depression, social withdrawal and low self-esteem.

Myth: Popping/Squeezing pimples will get rid of them faster.

This may actually irritate acne by disseminating the bacteria which is causing it! Squeezing pimples How to Get Rid of Pimples may also lead to permanent scarring.

Myth: Sun exposure will assist clear up acne.

Altho short-term effects of the sun seem to arid out excess oils, the skin speedily adapts to sun exposure. This eliminates long-term gains from sun exposure and increments the potential for skin damage and cancer.

Myth: Wearing makeup causes acne.

Healthful skin is the most proficient way to keep out of the way of acne. Because a good deal of makeups may clog pores, acne may in fact result. Cosmetics have flooded the market with labels indicating they are noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic, which means they'll not cause acne. These brands of makeup are safe to employ. Healthful actually include ingredients that assist treat acne.

Myth: Using more acne medication will treat the condition faster.

Excess use of ointments may actually irritate the skin, worsening the condition. Oral medications may be dangerous to your overall health. Always use medications as directed.

'The Sims FreePlay is a free-to- play iOS (iPad and iPhone) and Android game from Monkey Iron and EA Mobile that is based on the popular PC version of The Sims. Like the PC version, you build and personalize your own town and can control up to 64 Sims by picking their occupations, pets, autos, and more. There are strategies and other suggestions to help you cheat in The Sims 3 FreePlay, which you sims freeplay cheats are able to locate below: (. Let's know in the opinions below and we'll mend them, if they don't work. You may also add your own strategies and tips in the comments as well)